Summary
- A good defensive midfielder is crucial for FIFA 23 teams for controlling attacks and counters.
- Rare, expensive DMs like Kimmich and Kante bolster squads best through good trades.
- Players like Palhinha, Phillips, and Torreira stand out for their defensive prowess and playmaking skills.
A defensive midfielder has become one of the most important roles in modern teams that need fluidity in attack and defense. Players in this role are expected to aid the defense in stopping certain attacks before quickly moving the ball forward to progressive players in the hope of gaining some control and possibly starting a counterattack as well. DMs are pretty popular in FIFA games as well, especially since they help chase down the opposition and ensure that their attacks don't materialize dangerously while also serving as a link between the defense and the rest of the team.
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Some of the best DMs that players can use to bolster their squad extensively in FIFA 23 are very rare and expensive. Players need to secure good trades and deals to get these players in Ultimate Team, and these players will aid most people across the many other modes in this game. With a good DM, players can afford to be more aggressive without worrying about a hole appearing in their defense. FIFA 23's gameplay may be so tried-and-tested that this irritates people to no end, but players who focus more on the mechanical side of things would want to secure a highly-rated DM who fits in perfectly well with their style of play.
Updated November 14, 2024 by Ben Painter: EA Sports FC 25 hasn't been out long, and some fans may not have picked up that latest game yet. Avid FIFA players may want to return to the latest entry in the FIFA name, FIFA 23. A good place to start when deciding what team to play with and what players to use is picking a solid defensive midfielder. CDMs are useful for breaking up play and aiding the defenders in stopping attacks. This update adds five more of the best CDMs in FIFA 23.
28 Joao Palhinha
Rating: 81
- Club: Fulham
- Nation: Portugal
- League: Premier League (England)
- Other Position(s): CM
- Rating In EA Sports FC 25: 85
After being linked to some of the top clubs in the world, it was Fulham who signed Joao Palhinha in a big statement signing by the West London club. However, he has moved on to Bayern Munich for EA Sports FC 25.
Although the Portuguese lacks pace, he makes up for it with his strength, height, and fantastic defensive stats. He is undoubtedly one of the best CDMs in FIFA 23 and will not look out of place among the other stars in the Premier League. Palhinha is also a handy dribbler and can pass out from a deeper role, perfect when playing as Fulham or using him in Ultimate Team.
27 Kalvin Phillips
Rating: 81
- Club: Manchester City
- Nation: England
- League: Premier League (England)
- Other Position(s): CM
- Rating In EA Sports FC 25: 77
Although his move to Manchester City didn't really work out for him, he is currently on loan at Ipswich Town for EA Sports FC 25. In FIFA 23, Phillips is one of the best CDMs in the game.
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During his time with Leeds United, he was dubbed the Yorkshire Pirlo due to the similarities in his game to the legendary Italian. Phillips operates best as a deep-lying playmaker. He has decent dribbling stats and is capable of roaming around the midfield and protecting the defense. He shines in his physicality, with 86 aggression and 85 stamina, meaning he will never give up on the field.
26 Lucas Torreira
Rating: 81
- Club: Galatasaray
- Nation: Uruguay
- League: Super Lig (Turkey)
- Other Position(s): CM
- Rating In EA Sports FC 25: 83
Once at Arsenal, it didn't work out for him in North London, so the Urguyan moved on to Turkish giants Galatasaray, where his game has flourished.
He may not be the tallest, standing at only 166 cm, but he makes up for it with his fantastic work rate and his staggering 90 stamina. There aren't any real weaknesses in his game, he is good in all aspects of the park. He holds the ball well thanks to his low center of gravity. When using a Super Lig team on Ultimate Team, there is only one man to use in that CDM role.
25 Thomas Delaney
Rating: 81
- Club: TSG 1899 Hoffenheim (on loan from Sevilla)
- Nation: Denmark
- League: Bundesliga (Germany)
- Other Position(s): CM
- Rating In EA Sports FC 25: 76
Thomas Delaney is another player who is a bit of an all-rounder in the midfield. He is very good defensively, but can also take the ball forward and play as a more advanced midfielder. The Dane plays for Sevilla, but on FIFA 23 he is on loan at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in the German Bundesliga.
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Where he shines is his aerial ability. With 91 jumping and 83 heading accuracy, he should be the focal point for set pieces and his 77 strength and 85 aggression will help him get stuck in at both ends of the pitch.
24 Robert Andrich
Rating: 81
- Club: Bayer 04 Leverkusen
- Nation: Germany
- League: Bundesliga (Germany)
- Other Position(s): CM
- Rating In EA Sports FC 25: 83
A rock at the back, standing at 187 cm, he will head and kick anything that comes at him and protect the defense in his coveted CDM role. He is a much more traditional CDM, but that is giving him a little discredit as he can actually play too, with a decent passing range and also not too shabby from a direct freekick.
The big German will be a great option for Bundesliga teams in Ultimate Team, with his physicality being the best weapon in his arsenal. Partnering him with more offensive players, such as Christopher Nkunku or Marco Reus in the midfield will benefit players massively.
23 Denis Zakaria
Rating: 81
- Club: Chelsea
- Nation: Switzerland
- League: Premier League (England)
- Other Position(s): CM
- Rating In EA Sports FC 25: 79
Although he didn't play much for Chelsea in real life that season, the Swiss midfielder is still an option to use for the West London club in FIFA 23. AS Monaco has the honor to utilize his abilities for EA Sports FC 24, albeit with a slight downgrade to his stats.
In this version of the game, Zakaria is a fast and powerful holding midfielder, with 82 Pace and 85 Physical. He is quick enough to track most forwards and has the passing and dribbling stats to contribute to the attack. For most starting Premier League squads on Ultimate Team, Zakaria is the go-to CDM.
22 Zambo Anguissa
Rating: 81
- Club: Napoli
- Nation: Cameroon
- League: Serie A (Italy)
- Other Position(s): CM
- Rating In EA Sports FC 25: 80
The Cameroonian is a decent, all-around midfielder, but he excels in defense, with his best stats being 86 Stand Tackle, 85 Strength, and 84 Stamina. He is an excellent carrier of the ball and is a perfect link between the defense and attack, capable of playing in a more advanced CM position also.
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Anguissa is 6'0", which works for clearing balls in the air, complete with his 76 and 70-heading accuracy. Although not amazing, he can still chip in in that department. For Ultimate Team players, he plays for Napoli in the Serie A, so that is handy for creating links to him for chemistry.
21 Ibrahim Sangare
Rating: 81
- Club: PSV
- Nation: Côte d'Ivoire
- League: Eredivisie (Netherlands)
- Other Position(s): CM
- Rating In EA Sports FC 25: 77
The biggest pull to using Sangare in FIFA is his height. Standing at 6 foot 3, he is a powerhouse in the midfield, getting his body in the way of any attack. Not the best passer of the ball, he is certainly no deep-lying playmaker, but that is not his job in the game. He wins the ball back and plays it to those who have a better passing range.
In EA Sports FC 24, gamers can use these skills in the Premier League, as he made the move to newly promoted Nottingham Forest. His strength is a staggering 91, making him one of the strongest in FIFA 23, and certainly one of the best CDMs in the game.
20 Idrissa Gueye
Rating: 82
- Club: Everton
- Nation: Senegal
- League: Premier League (England)
- Other Position(s): CM
- Rating In EA Sports FC 25: 76
Everton re-signed Gueye from Paris Saint-Germain ahead of this season, and he was a much-needed addition to their midfield, offering protection to their defense in the CDM position.
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He has 87 Stand Tackle, 86 Interceptions, and 85 Stamina. Gueye can run around the park, making interceptions, breaking up attacks, and offering protection, so the attackers can flourish.
19 Ismael Bennacer
Rating: 82
- Club: AC Milan
- Nation: Algeria
- League: Serie A (Italy)
- Other Position(s): CM
- Rating In EA Sports FC 25: 83
The AC Milan player fits a bit of a different profile to some of the other CDMs previously mentioned, as his best attributes lie in his dribbling. Specifically, 89 Balance, 87 Agility, and 86 Dribbling is where he excels, offering a different edge in the midfield than a big bruiser.
His passing is also pretty good. He can play it long or break into pockets with his dribbling and play the ball into crucial areas. The Algerian is a threat in attack and defense.